Mounting for x-ray tubes



Aug. 30, 1932. c Y R 1,874,478

MOUNTING FOR X-RAY TUBES F iled Jan. 2, 19:50

I NVENTOR u/ IQMM ATTORNEY with or disconnected from its Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES FAYER, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WAPPLER ELECTRIC COM- PANY, INC, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK MOUNTING FOR X-RAY TUBES Application filed January 2, 1930. Serial No. 41.7370.

My invention relates to mountings for X- ray tubes, and more particularly to mountings of a type suitable for use, in connection with one or more transformer casings containing high tension transformers submerged in oil or other insulating liquid, and in which it is desirable to cool the X-ray tube, or at least one of the electrodes thereof, by aid of the insulatin liquid.

More particularly stated, my invention contemplates a mounting for X-ray tubes of the general type just mentioned, in which I provide a radiator submerged in oil within the transformer casing for the purpose of keeping down the temperature of the X-ray tube, or at least one ,of its electrodes, the mounting being so formed. and arranged that the X-ray tube may be readily removed and replaced without disturbing the radiator, or anything else within the transformer casing.

My invention further contemplates provision of a flexible connection between the radiator and the part of the X-ray tube immediately associated therewith, for the purpose of permitting slight movements of the radiator relatively to the transformer casing, and so that the movements of removing and replacing the X-ray tube are prevented from breaking or endangering the X-ray tube, or unduly straining the glass walls thereof.

There is considerable advantage to be gained by bringing an X-ray tube into close proximity to a casing containing a transformer for energizing the X-ray tube, and so that an electrode stem of the X-ray tube, and especially the anode stem thereof, is extended into direct engagement with a mounting carried by the transformer casing; but in such instances, provision must be made to distribute heat from the anode stem into the insulating liquid within the casing, and further provision must be made to enable the electrode stem to be quickly and easily connected said mounting, without undue danger of breaking the X-ray tube or any part thereof, due to too great rigidity of the mounting. I

Reference is made to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout all of thefigures.

Figure 1 is a'fragmentary vertical section through an X-ray tube mounting made in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section through the radiator and parts immediately associated therewith and forming a part of the mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated y arrows.

A housing is shown at 4, and is provided gith an opening 5 serving as an X-ray win- Mounted within the housing is a casing 6 serving the purpose of a transformer tank, and containing a high tension transformer 9,

submerged in a volume of oil, shown at 8.'

Instead of oil any equivalent insulating material may be used, such as wax or any other appropriate liquid or semi-liquid insulating material.

The casing 6 is provided with a closure plate 10, serving as casing head.

A sleeve 11, made of insulating material,

extends through an opening in the closure plate 10, and together therewith forms a pocket of re-entrant form, as indicated more particularly in Figure 1.

The pocket 11 is provided with an opening 12, threaded internally as shown.

Detachably fitted into the opening 12 is a metallic screw cap 13, provided with a flange 14 integral with it, as indicated in Figure 2. The screw cap 13 is provided with an opening 15, shown more particularly in Figures 2. A diaphragm 15, made of corrugated sheet metal, preferably copper, and having a general annular form, is secured to the screw cap 13, by brazing or soldering, so as to bind the opening 15.

Secured firmly to the annular diaphragm 15' is an annular head'16, made of metal and extending substantially parallel with the general plane of the screw cap 13.

The annular head 16 is provided with a portion 17 of substantially frusto-conical form, and with an extending portion 18 having the form of a relatively deep pocket, as indicated in Figure 2.

The pocket 18 has the proximate form of a cylinder closed at one of its ends, as may be understood from Figure 2.

Mounted upon the pocket 18 and enclrcling the same are a number of radiator plates 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27. The radiator plates 20 to 26 inclusive are each provided with radially disposed slots 28, as shown more particularly in Figure 3.

Encircling the pocket 18 is a washer 29, of proper form to fit neatly against the adjacent frusto-conical portion 17, and engaging the radiator plate 19. A number of annular washers 30 are interspersed between the other radiator plates, as may be understood from Figure 2.

An end cap 31, secured firmly upon the pocket 18 by soldering or brazing, serves to hold the various radiator plates and the intervening washers firmly together, these parts collectively constituting a radiator.

Housed within the closed end of the pocket 18 is a spiral contact spring 32, held in position by a screw 33.

An X-ray tube is shown at 34, and is provided with the usual electrodes, namely,'a heat controlled cathode 35 and an anode 36, this anode being provided with a target face 37.

The X-ray tube is provided with a cathode end 38 and an anode end 39.

The anode 36 is provided with an anode stem 40 whereby it is supported, this anode stem being provided with a substantially cylindrical end portion 41, protruding from the anode end 39 of the X-ray tube.

The cathode end 38 and the anode end 39 of the X-ray tube are made of glass or equivalent material, as is usual in the manufacture of X-ray tubes.

The end portion 41, protruding from the anode end 39, is provided with a rounded tip 42, which engages the contact spring 32 when the end portion 41 is thrust into the pocket 18,

as may be understood from Figure 2.

For convenience in connecting up the anode stem with the high tension transformer 9, I provide a connection 43.

The high tension transformer 9 is provided with a primary winding 44 and with a secondary winding 45, the latter being a part of thg means employed for energizing the X-ray tu e.

In mounting the X-ray tube 34 in position, it is grasped by hand and so manipulated as to thrust the end portion 41 of the anode stem lengthwise into the pocket 18, the frustoconical portion 17 serving as a guide for this purpose, as may be understood from Figure 2.

It may happen that in fitting the portion 41 into the tube 18 the portion 41 may be subjected to slight jars, knocks and accidental pressure applied to it laterally, and of course more or less dangerous to the tube, which is always fragile. It is upon this account that I provide t e annular diaphragm 15'.

A small portion of the Volume of oil 8 extends out into this diaphragm, through the opening 15, and then into the annular diaphragm 15', as may be understood from Figure 2.

The diaphragm 15 is more or less flexible, so-that the pocket 18 and the radiator carried thereby are as a unit movable bodily to a slight extent, relatively to the transformer casing. This means that they can swing slightly in any direction lateral to the axis of the pocket 18.

It follows that the end portion 41 of the anode electrode may be quickly thrust by hand into or withdrawn from the pocket 18, and that owing to the flexibility of mounting of this pocket the danger of damage to the X-ray tube, from jars, knocks or the like, is greatly lessened.

I do not deem it necessary to describe the various electrical connections for energizing the X-ray tube, this being no part of my present invention.

I do not limit myself to the precise mechanism shown, as variations may be made therein without departing from my invention, the scope of which is commensurate with my claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows 1. In a mounting for X-ray tubes the combination, with a transformer casing, a body of liquid insulating material contained therein and a high tension transformer submerged in said body'of liquid insulating material for energizing an X-ray tube, of a radiator housed within saidcasing and submerged in said body of liquid insulating material, said radiator being flexibly mounted relatively to said casing, andan X-ray tube located outside of said casing and provided with an electrode and with a stem extending from said electrode and detachably connected with said radiator for cooling said electrode by said liquid insulating material.

2. The combination of a transformer casing provided with an opening and with a reentrant pocket made of conductive material and extending inwardly from said opening, a high tension transformer in said casing for energizing an X-ray tube, a radiator located within said casing and connecte d with said pocket, a volume of insulating material contained in said casing and enveloping said radiator and said pocket, and an X-ray tube located outside of said casing and provided with an electrode stem extending into said pocket and into said radiator, and detachably mounted relatively to said pocket.

3. The combination of a transformer casing provided with an opening and with a reentrant pocket extending inwardly from Ill said opening, said pocket being made of conducting material and flexibly connected with said casing and movable to a slight extent relative to said casing, a high tension transformer in said casing for energizing an X-ray tube, and an X-ray tube mounted outside said casing and provided with an electrode extending through said opening and detachably engaging said ocket.

4. The combination 0 a transformer casing provided with an opening and with a reentrant pocket made 0 con ucting materlal and extending inwardly from sald opening, said pocket being flexibly mounted relatlve to said easin and thus free to move slightly therein, a hlgh tension transformer in said casing for energizing said X-ray tube, a voltime of insulating material contained in sald casing and enveloping said pocket and said transformer, and an X-ray tube located outside of said casing and provided with a metallic electrode stem fitting telescopically into said pocket and detachable relatively thereto.

5. The combination, with a metallic transformer casing provided with an opening, a flexible diaphragm secured to said casing and encircling said opening, a pocket secured to said diaphragm and located within said cas ing, said pocket having a slight freedom of movement relative to said casing, a high tension transformer in said casing for energizing an X-ray tube, a body of liquid insulating material contained within said casing and enveloping said pocket and said transformer, and an X-ray tube located outside of said casing and provided with an electrode stem extending through said opening and detachably fitting into said pocket.

6. The combination of a transformer casing provided with an opening and with a reentrant pocket made of conducting material and extending inwardly from said opening, said pocket being flexibly mounted relative to said casing, a high tension transformer in said casing for energizing an X-ray tube, a radiator located within said casing and fitted upon said pocket, and an X-ray tube located outside of said casing and provided with an electrode stem having a portion extending into said pocket and detachably mounted relatively thereto.

7. The combination of a transformer casing made of metal and provided with an opening, a high tension transformer in said casing for energizing an X-ray tube, a sleeve of insulating material fitted into said opening and extending therefrom into the casing, a cap'fitted upon said sleeve, a flexible diaphragm connected with said cap, a pocket made of metal and connected with said flexible diaphragm, said pocket being located entirely within said casing and free to move slightly in relation thereto by the flexibility of said diaphragm, and an X-ray tube cated outside of said casing and provided with an electrode stem protruding from said X-ray tube, through said opening in said casing, and detachably fitted into said pocket. 8. The combination of a transformer casing made of metal andprovided with an opening, a high tension transformer in said casing for energizing an X-ray tube, a sleeve of insulating material fitted into said opening and extending therefrom into said casing, a cap fitted upon said sleeve, 21. flexible diaphragm having asubstantiall annular form and connected with sai cap, a pocket made of conducting material and connected'with said flexible diaphragm, said pocket being located within said casmg and free to move slightly in relation thereto by the flexibility of said diaphragm, a radiator located within said casing and mounted upon said pocket, a volume of insulating material contained in said casing and enveloping said radiator and said transformer, and an X-ray tube located outside of said casin and provided with an electrode stem protru ing through said opening and detachably fitted into said pocket.

9. The combination of a transformer casing prpyided with a closure plate having an openinfgififhigh tension transformer in said casing for energizing an X-ray tube, a sleeve of insulating material fitted into said opening and extending therefrom into said casing, said sleeve being provided with an opening, a cap fitted into said opening of said sleeve, a diaphragm secured to said cap and having a substantially annular form, a pocket connected with said diaphragm casing and provided with an electrode stem protruding from said X-ray tube and de tachably fitted into said pocket.

Signed at Long Island City, in the county of Queens and State of New York, this 21st day of December, 1929.

CHARLES FAYER.

and ex tending through said opening of said sleeve,

DISCLAIMER 1,874,478.v-Uharles Fag er, Flushing, N. Y. MOUNTING FOR X-RAY TUBES. Patent dated August 30, 1932,. Disclaimer filed March 21, 1934, by the assignee,

Wappler Electric Company, Inc.

Enters this disclaimer to that part of said specification and claims which are in the following words, to wit:

2. The combination of a transformer casing provlded with an opening and with areentrant 'pocket made of conductive material and extending inwardly from said opening, a high tension transformer in said casing for energizing an X-ray tube, a radiator located within said casing and connected with said pocket, a volume of insulating material contained insaid casing and enveloping said radiator and said pocket, and an X-ray tube located outside of said casing and provided with an electrode stem extending into said pocket and into said radiator, and detachably mounted relatively to said pocket.

[Ofic'ial Gazette April 10, 1.934.] 

